Richard smith



(No Model.)

R. SMITH.

EXPANSIBLE MANDREL.

No. 452,854. Patented May 26,1891.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

RICHARD SMITH, OF SHERBROOKE-CANADA.

-EXPANSIBLE MANDREL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 452,854, dated May 26, 1891.

Application filed July 30, 1890. Serial No. 360,380. (No model.)

y such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, refer-ence being had to the accompany- Aing drawings, and to figures of reference marked thereon, which form a partof this specification.

This invention relates to mandrels, particu larly that class termet cceXpansible-that is, the diameter is made ad justably variable for the entirelength of the mandrel to enable the material--such as cloth or paper to be wound tightly thereabout, and subsequently permit the mandrel to be withdrawnv by contracting or lessening the diameter of said mandrel.

My invention consists in making a mandrel which is termed hydraulic, since its diameter is regulated bythe admission or withdrawal of water or other liquid contained in liquid-tight tubes or vessels which are to be expansible.

The drawings herewith accompanying this specification represent in Figure l aside elevation. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of a mandrel embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a modified form.

In said drawings l have shown a mandrel at 2, composed of wood or metal, and furnished with suitable bearings, upon which it is adapted to turn when paper, cloth, orother materials are to be wound or coiled thereupon.

To enable the diameter to be increased or diminished the surface of the mandrel is formed with grooves 3 3, which are parallel and extend the entire length of the mandrel. Said grooves are preferably sections of circles in cross-section, and each is adapted to receive a length of elastic or expansble tubing il 4, or cylindrical liquid-tight vessels provided at one end with a filling-orifice 0 and a valve 5, by which the contents of each of said vessels can be retained or discharged.

By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the closed vessels or tubes extend beyond the exterior surface of the mandrel. This construction allows the material to be wound about the mandrel 4when the closed vessels are in a distended state; but when the same are in a state ot1 collapse sufficient difference in the diameterof the mandrel is produced to allow the latter to be easily pulled out and removed.

The operation is as follows: The mandrel when empty is enlarged, preferably, to its fullest diameter. This is effected by opening the valves at the ends and forcing in the proper quantity of water or fluid, or perhaps air, obtained from some suitable source under pressure. The valves 5 are then closed. Preferably some form of lock-valve is to be used to prevent them from opening, and thus obviate the loss of the contents and collapse of the vessels. -When the roll has been adjusted to the proper diameter, the mandrel is mounted in its journals, and the end of the paper or other material to be coiled upon it passed around and secured.` The winding process now ensues in the ordinary way. Then the roll is of sufficient size, rotation of the mandrel is stopped, the roll of material is removed to a proper storage-place, and the act of withdrawing the mandrel new is to be accomplished. This is very easily done by opening the valves and permitting the expansible vessels to collapse by allowing their contents-air or water-to escape. When the diameter of the mandrel is sufiiciently reduced,the mandrel can easily be withdrawn. Conversely, presuming a roll of paper, cloth, or other material from which the winding mandrel has been with drawn has been shipped to a place of manufacture, where it is to be worked up, and it becomes necessary to introduce a second mandrel, this is easily done by pushing the mandrel, with its expansible vessels in a collapsed state, through the bore of the roll, and Athen by opening the valves and filling said vessels so distend the latter that the desired increase in diameter has been obtained. This act performed, the roll is now fast upon a new mandrel and the material can be easily unwound. By such construction the necessity of shipping a winding shaft or mandrel is avoided, while no difficulty ex ists in withdrawing it, because the difference between the diameters of the mandrel when in its expanded and its contracted state is so great.

In the drawings, Fig. 3 represents the Vessels arranged obliquely, since this position or when spirally placed will produce the Same effect as when arranged in Fig. 1.

That I claim isl, An expansible mandrel composed as fol lows: a revoluble cylinder and one or more closed expansible Vessels secured longitudinally thereto and projecting beyond the periphery ot' the cylinder, substantially as and for purposes explained.

2. In combination with a revoluble mandrel provided with series of grooves lengtlr wise thereof, a series of closed expansible vessels secured in said grooves, and the controlling valves which regulate their contents, substantially as described and stated. Y

3. A revoluble mandrel and a series of oblique or spiral grooves longitudinally therein, combined with a series of closed expansible vessels of a form to lit and be contained in said grooves, and the valves by which the contents of said vessels are received and discharged, as stated and set forth.

In testimony whereof I ailix my Signature in presence of two witnesses.

RICHARD SMITH. Witnesses:

` H. E. LODGE,

FRANCIS C. S'rANWooD. 

